Military: Abu Sayyaf leader behind blasts still in Sulu

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A MILITARY commander yesterday said the Abu Sayyaf may be spreading false information to divert the attention of troops pursuing its sub-leader, Mundi Sawadjaan, who was tagged behind the August 24 twin suicide bombings in Jolo town, Sulu.

Seventeen persons died in the blast while 74 others were injured.

Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, commander of the AFP’s Western Mindanao Command based in Zamboanga City, said Sawadjaan remains in Patikul where troops clashed with his group last Saturday.

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Vinluan was disputing reports reports that Sawadjaan is now somewhere in Central Mindanao which covers the provinces of Sarangani, South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat.

“That’s not true… He is still in Patikul. Our troops are running after him,” he said.

Vinluan said pursuit operations against Sawadjaan, who evaded troops during the Saturday clash, and his men continue without let-up, thus the need for the Abu Sayyaf to resort to diversionary tactics.

“The group of Mundi is already having a hard time so they are going to find a way to divert our attention. They’ll come up with report that they are already in Central Mindanao or Zamboanga,” said Vinluan.

“It’s continuing, our troops are still able to monitor them,” he said of the pursuit operations.

Over the weekend, Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco said she received reports that Sawadjaan and two suicide bombers are in Zamboanga City, plotting to sow terror. She said the city has taken pro-active measures to preempt the reported lot.

On Monday, Zamboanga City police chief Col. John Guyguyon said he received information that Sawadjaan and two foreign bombers identified as Andi Baso and Reski Fantasya are in an unspecified location in Central Mindanao.

Guyguyon said the PNP has intensified checkpoint operations in Zamboanga City to prevent the entry of the three terrorists and their cohorts from Sulu. He said K9 units have been deployed to vital installations.

On Saturday, government troops clashed with the group of Sawadjaan in Barangay Kabbon Takkas in Patikul, leaving two Abu Sayyaf members and soldier dead and seven other soldiers injured.

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